Help kids with a red nose

By
Bianca La Cioppa

Each year over 3500 families experience the sudden or unexpected death of a baby or child, and with that number growing, families need your help.

Dealing with the loss of a young child is extremely hard, but thanks to SIDS and Kids, parents can now be well educated on safe sleeping, support and prevention methods.

With the annual Red Nose day coming up fast — Friday, June 27 — students and teachers from Richmond High School will come together this Friday, June 13 to begin fundraising for the foundation.

The school will gather on the school oval, along with students from Hobartville, Londonderry and Bligh Park public schools and school leaders from Colo, Hawkesbury and Windsor high schools, during a fly-over by Pol Air (the Police Air Wing).

Red Nose Day co-ordinator Ms Garcia said the students had put in a lot of preparation for the event on Friday morning.

‘‘The Year 12 students have been working really hard putting together their performance item,’’ Ms Garcia said, adding that the whole school community had put in the hard yards to make it all a success.

Last year the school raised $12,000 for SIDS and Kids, with their goal for this year being equal or more. ‘‘Each year we always try and equal or improve the amount, so hopefully this year we can improve,’’ she said.

Over the last 20 years, Richmond High School has raised more than $375,000.

Members of the school’s SRC will be out in force from June 23 to 27 selling Red Nose Day merchandise throughout the Hawkesbury and Penrith region.

You can purchase Australian stuffed animals, pens, wristbands, badges and of course, red noses.

SIDS and Kids rely on the support from these events so they can continue to provide vital services such as counselling, phone support, education and research into still births, fatal sleeping accidents and unexpected child death.